A couple of days passed quietly. Leon spent his nights in the Sunwood Forest with Kira, who floated beside him like a personal, ethereal moon.
"Kira, can you hear the leaves rustling?" Leon asked one night as a breeze swept through the clearing. "Or feel the wind?"
Kira shook her head, her fox ears drooping slightly. "No. I can only see things. And I can only hear you. The world feels… distant. Like I'm watching a play through a thick pane of glass."
A pang of sympathy hit Leon. He had spent millennia in solitude, but he had always been able to feel the world around him. To have it so close yet so out of reach seemed a unique form of torment.
'System, is there anything I can do for her?' he thought.
[The host currently possesses one 'Minion Strengthening Scroll' in his inventory.]
'Inventory? How do I access it?'
[Mentally focus on the command 'Open Inventory'. The system will project a visual interface. To use an item, focus on it and issue the command 'Use'.]
'Open Inventory.'
A new screen materialized before him, showing a simple grid. In the first slot was the image of a small, black scroll tied with a purple ribbon.
'Focus on the scroll. Use.'
The scroll vanished from the inventory and materialized in Leon's hand in a swirl of dark energy. He held it out towards Kira. "This might help."
He unfurled the scroll, which dissolved into motes of purple light that flowed into Kira's spiritual form. A wave of necrotic energy washed over her. Her translucent body solidified, losing its see-through quality and becoming much more opaque and vibrant.
Kira gasped, her amethyst eyes wide. "I can… I can hear the crickets!" She took a deep, spectral breath. "And I can smell the pine in the air! Oh, Leon, thank you!"
[Minion 'Kira' has been strengthened. Sensory perception partially restored. New skill unlocked: Minor Illusion.]
"Kira, you might be able to use some of your spells now. Give it a try."
"My spells?" Kira tilted her head, then a mischievous sparkle appeared in her eyes. "Let me try!"
She concentrated for a moment, and suddenly, Leon felt the scene in front of him go dark. A soft, fluffy tail brushed against his hand. The sensation was faint, like a ghost of a touch, but it felt remarkably real.
"Husband.."
An extremely sultry and seductive voice landed on his ears. He looked up to see Kira, wearing nothing but a short blouse with a deep midriff, putting her entire cleavage on full display, and a bottom that only covered her private parts. Leon could even faintly make out the contours of her intimate parts through the thin, tight material that could barely be called clothing.
He looked down and saw one of Kira's tails seemingly resting on his groin area, slowly simulating that part.
"Do you... do you like what you see?" Kira asked, her voice seductive to the extreme.
Leon knew that this wasn't real. However, he didn't break the illusion, sensing that doing so might cause a backlash to her still-fragile spirit.
"I do. You look very sexy." He said with a small smile on her face. Her face immediately bloomed.
"Then, let me continue."
However, just as she was about to unzip Leon's member, the illusion faltered. Slowly, Leon's surroundings slowly morphed back to reality.
"It failed. Looks like I am not strong enough!" Kira lamented.
"Hmph, you seem very experienced. How many men have you seduced like that?" Leon asked with a mock-angry glare.
"Nooo. You have to believe me. This is the first time I used it on a man." Kira's eyes threatened to spill again, feeling wronged.
Leon smiled. "I am just joking. I believe you."
He then turned his attention back to the system. 'System, do I have any spells of my own?'
[New Spell Unlocked: Dark Fire Bolt. Cost: 1 NP per bolt. No NP requirement to practice for the next 10 days]
Nice!
It was a basic offensive spell, but it was his first. Though Leon did not need any magical fighting capabilities, if he had to survive as a necromancer, he had to have some spells.
Every night, Leon would practice, conjuring small bolts of crackling, black-purple fire and launching them at trees, leaving smoldering holes in the bark. Kira, however, was unable to progress on her own, so she would just watch Leon happily.
This quiet routine was shattered on the third afternoon. A royal carriage, bearing the crest of the King, arrived at the Valerius manor. A stern-looking official in fine robes stepped out, flanked by two Royal Knights.
Lord Therion immediately convened the family in the main hall.
The official unrolled a scroll with a flourish. "By decree of His Royal Majesty, King Theron IV," he announced, his voice ringing with authority, "due to increased pirate activity on the southern coast and sightings of monsters in the north, a Special Defense Levy is to be collected from all noble houses. The contribution for House Valerius is 10 gold coins, payable within one month."
Godric's face went pale. 10 gold coins was an enormous sum, nearly half the annual revenue from the various administrative properties he managed for the family.
"The family will, of course, comply," Lord Therion said, his voice a low rumble. He then turned his gaze to his two sons. "However, the allocation of this payment must be considered."
Marcus stepped forward, a practiced, solemn look on his face. "Father, as you know, all of our funds are currently being invested into Damian's cultivation. The cost of tutors from the Royal Academy and high-grade magical resources is substantial. It is an investment in the future glory of our house."
Lord Therion nodded gravely. "Indeed. Damian's progress is paramount. Therefore, Marcus, your family will be exempt from contributing to this levy. Godric," he said, turning to his younger son, "you will handle this payment."
Godric stared in disbelief. "All of it? Father, that's 10 gold coins! It will wipe out almost all our earnings for the year!"
"It is a necessary sacrifice," Isolde interjected smoothly, a cruel smile touching her lips. "We all must do our part. We are investing in the family's future. You are simply paying for its present."
"This is completely unfair!" Godric protested, his voice rising in desperation.
"Enough!" Therion boomed, silencing him. "My decision is final. You have one month, Godric. Do not fail me."
The official made a note in his ledger, bowed curtly, and departed, leaving the family in a tense, suffocating silence.